Hawera Police have charged a 28-year-old Taranaki man in relation to the death of Christine Fairweather.
Christine was killed after she was struck by a vehicle while she was moving metal barriers that were dangerously blocking the southbound lane of State Highway 3, Normanby, on Saturday 2nd of August, 2014.
The man has been charged with careless driving causing death and appeared in the Hawera District Court today. He has pleaded guilty to the charge and is due to re-appear in the same Court on 13 January, 2015 for sentencing.
Detective Guy Jackson, officer in charge of the investigation says: "This charge is just one part of our ongoing investigation into the death of Christine."
"We have spoken to a number of people regarding the metal barriers being placed in the middle of the road and at this stage our inquiries are ongoing. Police remain in contact with Christine's family and we are continuing to update them as the investigation progresses."
ENDS
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.
Statement on behalf of the Fairweather family:
"John and the Fairweather family would like to thank the Police and community for all their care and concern during and after the death of Christine.
We feel that out of respect for a much loved Wife, Mum, Daughter, Sister and extended family member that it is important for the investigation to be unclouded by social commentary and general gossip.
We would however like to mention that at no time has our family ever had any animosity towards the driver of the car on the night Christine died. In fact we believe that he is as much a victim of the stupidity of those who placed the barriers in the road that night as Christine and our family are.
It is paramount to us now that whoever is responsible can be brought to justice and we will not be commenting further at this time for fear of jeopardising the investigation."
(Note: The Fairweather family requests that the media respect their privacy at this time.)